Check your ignition switch, they have a mechanism where if the transmission is on any gear ( including neutral ) it wont turn over all the way back, so if you turned off hte vehicle and got the key out " this happens often " before the last step because of a kinda worn key or switch that allowed you to get it out.
your transmission won go to park.
so try playing wih your switch first, go all the way to start, and all the way to acc or off trying to put the tranny on psrk
and see if that helps.
if not let me know

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I doubt it, but anything's possible.The only thing connecting the two things would be the parking lights and dash lights, not the gauges.Sounds like a problem with the body controller, or the wiring harness behind the dash. Advance warning - there are miles of wiring in a Jaguar. And the problem will have to be occuring for the garage to find it.Do you think it only happens on trips, and not just local driving ?Could be something heating up if you need 50+ miles to make it happen.

have vehicle scanned most auto stores offer this service for free the trouble code will give u a start point towards correcting that problem as to the gauge sounds like a different problem from check engine possible connected but doubt it check the wiring up under dash around back of gauge for loose or damaged wire[s] if wires good use a meter and test gauge itself for possible short

BJB ( aka Battery Junction Box , engine compartment fuse panel ) fuse #5 is for the trailer tow reversing lamp relay & the trailer tow running lamp relay. This is to the normally open contacts on those relays, which is the circuit to the 7 pin trailer tow adapter. - Have you checked your 7 pin trailer tow adapter for metal left in there from a trailer plug ?If you pull those 2 relays and replace fuse #5, does the fuse blow ? If so under what conditions ( i.e. when the headlamps are turned on, or when the truck is placed in reverse ) ?

BJB Fuse # 6 feeds the park lamp relay & the headlamp relay for the autolamp function. This could be where the lights staying on it coming from, but I would have guessed just the autolamp would have stopped working. When the parking lamps are staying on, is this with the main headlamp switch in the auto position, or with the switch turned off.

The blinking OD light is the transmission reporting an error ( trans sensor issue or the actuator circuits have failed ).

The 1st place to check for this ( which is somewhat connected to the BJB Fuse #5 ) is the DTR ( Digital Transmission Range ) Sensor on the side of the transmission.

Could be the DTR connector is gummed up with road dirt, causing an issue. Part of the DTR is for starting ( Neutral or Park acts as a switch ) and part is the reverse ( again acting like a normal switch ) the other parts of the DTR feed information to the PCM for shift control and for 44 ( if the truck is a 4x4 ) for shift operation.

Start with the DTR on the side of the trans, unplug the connector and clean it with contact cleaner, and the check on the relays above.

First off you need an owner's manual. You can get a free one here.
http://pdfservicemanual.com/automotive/2001-ford-taurus-owners-manual
The light that looks like a gear with an exclamation point inside indicates there is a problem with the transmission. May just be low of transmission fluid. To check the level dive the car until the transmission is warm, park on a level surface, place gear shift in park with engine running, and check transmission fluid level. Add only if necessary and do not overfill. If it is not low of fluid then seek professional help. The exclamation point in a circle under the fuel gauge next to the Brake light indicates you are low of brake fluid. Check the level of the brake fluid. If it is low you more than likely need to check your brake pads as they are worn out.

Does it crank? If it doesn't is the car in park or neutral? and if it is can you retry to put it in park or neutral again, no help? starter bad? Low battery may turn all the lights on but may not be high enough to crank. The security light on? If it is and you leave the key on a bit does it go out or stay on? If it stays on do you have a different key that works the car? try it first, If it cranks and still doesn't start does it have fuel? Nor just on the gauge but take the cap off and shake the car and listen for the gas slossing around. it can be out and the gauge wrong, maybe someone took your gas while you were sleeping?